JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Ballad Health has announced the promotion of two experienced leaders in its Southern Market, a market composed of eight hospitals spanning Greeneville to Mountain City to Unicoi County. The market includes the region’s state-designated safety net and teaching hospital, Johnson City Medical Center, Niswonger Children’s Hospital and a myriad of outpatient services serving hundreds of thousands of patients annually.
Lisa Carter, who currently serves as chief executive officer (CEO) of Niswonger Children’s Hospital and the Ballad Health Niswonger Children’s Network, has been named president of the Southern Market, and will oversee all operations of the market.
Kenny Shafer, currently serving as interim CEO of Johnson City Medical Center, has been named chief executive officer of Johnson City Medical Center.
These appointments come after a search process which generated numerous exceptional candidates from around the nation. A search committee composed of regional leaders, physicians and Ballad Health leadership participated in the process and made recommendations to Ballad Health leadership.
“When making key appointments like this, we truly value the input of the physicians and community leaders who care deeply about these hospitals,” said Ballad Health Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Alan Levine. “In this case, there were so many great candidates, but Lisa and Kenny clearly emerged as a strong consensus given the trust they’ve developed among the staff and community. They are both great leaders with energy and enthusiasm for the mission of Ballad Health.”
“Lisa and Kenny have a track record of energetic leadership and strong community involvement, both essential to these roles,” said Ballad Health Chief Operating Officer Eric Deaton.
“Lisa has become well known for her passionate development of Niswonger Children’s Hospital and our pediatric network of care, and she has proven to be someone who gets things done. Kenny has led Johnson City Medical Center through some challenging times with the emergence of the COVID-19 delta variant. At the same time the delta variant was impacting our staff at Johnson City Medical Center, Kenny led the hospital through its successful triennial Joint Commission accreditation. Furthermore, with the support of an exceptional team, the Level 1 Trauma Center went through its survey, receiving zero deficiencies and praise from the survey team, a first for any trauma center in the region. The whole team deserves credit, but it does begin with good leadership, and Kenny has provided that.”
“We have had a front row seat to the leadership provided by Lisa and Kenny over the past few years, and we are so pleased to support these appointments by Ballad Health,” said Dr. Hadi El Bazouni, president of the medical staff of Johnson City Medical Center.
“We appreciate the process that was put in place to ensure we had input, and we are excited about supporting these leaders as they advance the mission of Ballad Health and our hospitals.”
“I congratulate Ballad Health on the selection of these incredibly qualified and capable leaders for Johnson City Medical Center and the regional Southern Market,” said Washington County Mayor Joe Grandy, who served on the selection committee.
“I appreciate that Ballad Health sought the input of a broad consensus of people who are so deeply affected by this decision, and they really listened to our input. There were several very good candidates, each of whom I could have supported, but Lisa and Kenny rose to the top based on their proven results and the relationships they have developed with physicians and the community. I feel good about the kind of leaders Ballad Health has chosen.”
About Lisa Carter
Carter, who grew up in the Appalachian Highlands, has served as CEO of Niswonger Children’s Hospital since 2015 and was instrumental in the creation of the Ballad Health Niswonger Children’s Network, which includes the children’s hospital. A registered nurse, she previously served as chief nursing officer for Niswonger Children’s Hospital. Carter began her nursing career in 1995 and spent 10 years in various floor nursing roles before stepping into a series of leadership positions. An avid competitor, Lisa played collegiate golf even as she earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Tennessee Technological University. She went on to receive her Master of Science in Nursing at East Tennessee State University.
“Growing up in this region was invaluable, and I’m grateful for this opportunity to serve our community on a larger scale and am excited about what we can achieve,” Carter said.
“We have an amazing team who genuinely love their communities and work hard each day to meet the healthcare needs of our region. And while I’ll be focused on all the hospitals within the market, I am still very passionate about women’s and children’s initiatives and will continue to be involved in the strategy and vision for the children’s network.
“Being a nurse first really defined how I see patients and the needs of others. I want to listen to the experiences of our patients and the team members who support them. I am committed to ensuring a safe culture for everyone who interacts with or works for our hospitals in this community.”
About Kenny Shafer
Shafer, as CEO of Johnson City Medical Center, will be responsible for overseeing implementation of the strategy and daily operations of the medical center, as well as interfacing with the Johnson City community and Ballad Health’s primary academic partner, East Tennessee State University, as the medical center contributes to the academic and training component of its mission.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue to lead the incredible team at Johnson City Medical Center,” he said. “This team has cared for my family in some of the most difficult times we have faced and some of the happiest times. It personally means a lot to stand side by side with these amazing and compassionate people as we do our best every day to serve the needs of our community and region. I take this responsibility very seriously.
“Johnson City Medical Center has a long history of providing superior care to this region since its doors opened 110 years ago. Together, we’ll continue the great work of making this hospital a nationally recognized provider. Our patients deserve nothing less.”
Shafer has served as interim CEO since June of this year. In addition, he has held the role of chief operating officer for Johnson City Medical Center and Niswonger Children’s Hospital since 2018. Prior to that, he served in several leadership roles with the Ballad Health system as well as with Community Health Systems at Tennova Healthcare outside Nashville and Bayfront Health Spring Hill in Florida.
Shafer is a graduate of Florida Gulf Coast University and earned a Master of Health Administration from the University of Florida. He is involved in numerous community organizations and is an upcoming member of the Johnson City Chamber of Commerce Board, beginning January 2022.
These leaders will immediately transition into their new roles, and Carter’s newly vacated position as CEO of the children’s hospital and the Ballad Health Niswonger Children’s Network will be filled once a national search is completed.
